Plan panel to move prog for Naxal-hit belt

New Delhi, Oct 26 (PTI) Planning Commission Deputy
Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia Tuesday said the panel has
firmed up its views on a Rs 13,742 crore Integrated Action
Plan (IAP) for development of Naxal-affected areas and will
send its proposal for Cabinet approval by Wednesday.
"We have received comments from various ministries and
formulated a view on it (IAP). It will be sent for the Cabinet
approval, if not Tuesday, then by tomorrow," Ahluwalia said
while addressing the Economic Editors' Conference here.
The IAP, which aims at improving basic infrastructure in
60 Naxal-hit districts of the country -- including roads,
schools, power, health facilities and governance at the
village level for effective delivery -- will be implemented in
two phases.
Under the first phase of two-year action plan, Rs 3,000
crore will be provided to the target districts for
strengthening panchayati raj institutions.
In the second phase, Rs 9,000 crore will be provided for
developing basic infrastructure like road, power and schools.
Ahluwalia also rejected reports that the Planning
Commission itself is divided on the proposed IAP.
"What you are saying may be the initial views, as we in
Planning Commission deal with various issues. It's a thing of
the past. The current position is that we had circulated the
note to various ministries and have received their comments,"
he said when asked about the differences within the Plan panel
on the IAP.
The proposed IAP was submitted to the Prime Minister
earlier and has got a thumbs-up from Home Minister P
Chidambaram and Finance Minister Pranab Mukerjee.